It’s always fun when a new race pops up on the calendar—especially when it’s in a city like Salem that’s been quietly turning into a running hotspot. Sure, Portland runners have no shortage of weekend race options. But it’s the smaller and mid-sized cities where new races feel a bit more special. And in the case of the inaugural Cherry City Half Marathon, 10K, & 5K, it’s clear the organizers are off to a strong start.
If you haven’t been to Salem recently, you might be surprised. Downtown’s food, drink, and small business scene is growing, and if you’ve ever raced the Oregon Ironman 70.3, you already know this city can play host to some seriously scenic racing. This September, the Cherry City Half Marathon is stepping into that spotlight, and they’ve designed a race experience that celebrates what Salem does best.
The Course
If you’re local, you’ve likely logged some miles through Riverfront Park and Minto-Brown Island Park. But if not—consider this your official invite. This is one of the most runnable and underrated green spaces in the entire state. We’re talking miles of interconnected paved paths, surrounded by trees, open fields, and river views…